Gross is known for his roles as "Steven Keaton" in the 1980s sitcom Family Ties and as "Burt Gummer" in the Tremors movies and subsequent TV series.

He guest-starred in an episode of the sitcom Night Court, in which he played a sexual predator of Markie Post's character, Christine Sullivan. In 1988 he portrayed a murderous bank robber in the true life movie In the Line of Duty: The F.B.I. Murders. His other television credits include Boston Legal, How I Met Your Mother, Batman Beyond, ER, Parks and Recreation (one episode), Law & Order, and two of its spin-offs: SVU and Criminal Intent. He portrayed also five times Burt Gummer in the Tremors franchise.

From August 2008 to January 2009, Gross appeared on the CBS soap The Young and the Restless as River Baldwin. Gross had a special cameo in 2000 on Spin City as a therapist to Michael J. Fox's character on Fox's final show as a regular on that program. For Tremors 3: Back to Perfection (2001) he received a Video Premiere Award as best actor. In November of 1979 Gross originated the role of "Greta" in the Broadway production of Martin Sherman's Bent.